California is attempting to pass a law that requires most cats and dogs to be fixed. It is already on its way to the Senate.
Rhode Island, as of June 10th already has a mandatory law passed for cats to be spayed or neutered if 6 months or older. *This topic is for the Cali law, not the R.I. law.*
Purpose of this Law:
-It is aimed at reducing the estimated 500,000 unwanted dogs and cats that are destroyed in California animal shelters each year.
“The more animals neutered and spayed, the fewer animals born, the fewer animals coming into our shelters, and fewer animals are euthanized,” said Pat Claerbout, president of the California Animal Control Directors Association.
At least 500,000 animals each year are killed in the most populous U.S. state, imposing an unacceptable “humanitarian” cost on California, said Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, the Democrat promoting the bill.
Those dogs and cats also impose a big expense to the state as keeping and killing them costs $300 million a year, Levine said in a telephone interview
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~****~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some are opposing this law. Now I do not have the full text on the law, but I do believe it can be very beneficial with some consideration.
- They have already said Breeders, as well as guide dog owners, can apply for an exemption.
-- Pro: Puppies will still be available, hopefully less from mills.
-- Con: They may not allow -all- breeds to be bred.
--- Complaint: Professional breeders say, “It will drive up their costs and entangle them in bureaucracy, and that it would amount to social engineering for animals.” [Can I get a definition of ‘social engineering for animals?]
--- Complaint: In the Sierra foothills, officials in rural Amador County complained “…it could lead to the demise of the beloved mutt”
- There is [not to my knowledge] a grandfather clause for already owned animals.
-- Pro: Owners who do not take precautions to keep an unfixed animal indoors, will have to get it fixed or face hefty fines.
-- Con: Those who are responsible with an unfixed pet may have a hard time getting the animal fixed. Thus facing hefty fines. [This is a very weak con, in my opinion.]
- All animals will have to be fixed by at least 4 months of age or be fined.
-- Pro: There is less chance of some genital diseases, and unwanted offspring.
-- Con: Some pet owners may abandon their pets rather than face the cost or fees.
So far it seems the only ones complaining are the Professional Breeders, those who work in dog shows, and law officials who do not want to think about the ‘time and cost’ of enforcing such a law.
Overall I am in FULL SUPPORT of this law being passed IF they allow breeders to breed any type of dog desired. I do not want this to be a way for them to say "Pit bulls, Dobermans, these are to risky to breed. So no, you are not exempt from the spay/neuter law."
***I am aware that this may be moved to the Debate thread. I think at first though people should be aware that such a law is in progress. ***
***Source for Cali. law is
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19463307/ as well as
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19113211/ ***
*** Source for the R.I. law is from
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13248311/ ***
Reply
